"The more unknown, complex and rapidly changing the environment is, the more important it is for you to have a really good conversation before you decide on a course of action," said retired Army Col. Steve Rotkoff during Solarium 2015 on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. "And then you have to be prepared to change ... as events change."

One of the hoped for outcomes of the Army Operating Concept, or AOC, is "creating an atmosphere where we can create multiple dilemmas for the enemy in an environment where we feel very comfortable operating," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno.

"Five, 10, 15, 20 years from now, you'll be executing our future strategy to meet complex problems we have around the world," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told 84 captains from throughout the Army. As the Army prepares to execute its strategy: "The U.S. Army Operating Concept: Win in a Complex World," the chief said he wanted to get "those unique perspectives captains bring," as they will be implementing this strategy in the future.

Iraq's military and Kurdish Peshmerga, after being trained by U.S. military advisors, will be in the lead in what is expected to be a complex and challenging battle to reclaim the country's second largest city, Mosul, from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists, who have held it since June, said the Army's chief of staff, Feb. 25.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey spoke with students of the Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Program's, or SHARP's, baseline certification course at the SHARP Academy on Fort Leavenworth, Feb. 26.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- The Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond Odierno visits the 25th Infantry Division Feb. 12 on Schofield Barracks. During his visit Gen. Odierno observed Soldiers training at the Lightning Academy, received a brief on the Division's readiness, current and future training objectives from senior leaders throughout the Tropic Lightning Division. He also held a question and answer session at Sgt. Smith Theater to discuss Soldiers way of life, items that impact Soldier morale, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program, female Soldiers taking a larger role in combat military occupation specialties, and other topics the Soldiers might have concerns about. Before departing Schofield Barracks, Gen. Odierno recognized 12 Soldiers for their contributions, dedication, and commitment to the U.S. Army and 25th Infantry Division. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Carlos Davis, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team/Released)

Chief of Staff of the Army General Raymond T. Odierno's testimony on the impact of the Budget Control Act of 2011 and Sequestration on National Security at the Senate Armed Service Committee congressional testimony, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2015.

Testifying on Capitol Hill, the Army's senior uniformed officer put forward a blunt message to Congress, Jan. 28, saying that, "as sequestration looms in 2016, I am truly concerned about our future and how we are investing in our nation's defense… we do not want to return to the days of a hollow Army."

Virtual Town Hall with Chief of Staff of the Army and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler participated in a virtual town hall, Jan. 6, 2015, answering questions from Soldiers on a variety of topics. The town hall at Google's Washington headquarters started off with a question about U.S. military involvement in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

When the Army began implementing defense cuts in 2011 and 2012, and drawdown operations kicked off in Iraq and Afghanistan, military leadership believed the world would require less intervention on the part of U.S. forces. That has not proven to be the case.

Priorities for the new sergeant major of the Army include working on eliminating sexual assault in the Army, and focusing on home station training and readiness, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno.

Fort Huachuca, Arizona, leadership hosted Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno for his first-ever visit to the southwest desert post, Dec. 8-9, 2014, highlighting the unique capabilities found at the post, which support the new Army Operating Concept, leader development and the future of the Army.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno and other senior leaders joined the United Service Organizations in honoring Soldiers who exemplified selfless service, at the 2014 USO Gala in Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2014.

"Whether it be along the DMZ in Korea, the mountains of Afghanistan, the deserts of Iraq, the plains of Eastern Europe, the savannahs of Central and West Africa, there stand our nation's trusted professionals," said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno.

"We are the greatest land power the world has ever seen. We are the indispensable Army of the indispensable nation," said Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh, referring to remarks President Obama made of the U.S. being the world's go-to nation when trouble arises.

These are "really tough times, where logistics and running our logistics organization has never been more important as we bring equipment out of Afghanistan, as we prepare for deployments to Africa, as we prepare for deployments to Iraq," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, Sept. 26, 2014, at a promotion ceremony at the Pentagon for the new Army deputy chief of staff G-4.

Moderate fighters in Syria, Iraqi security forces, Peshmerga (Kurdish fighters), allies and partners of the U.S., all have a vested interest in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno cautioned a Defense Writers Group in Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2014, should sequestration resume in fiscal year 2016, "it will be very difficult for us to lead around the world."

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno held his first Google hangout virtual town hall at the Google Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept 22, 2014, and discussed the Ebola outbreak, the Army budget, and other issues important to Soldiers.

Senior land forces commanders from 38 European partner nations, the U.S. and Canada convened in Wiesbaden, Germany, Sept. 15, 2014, to discuss the future of cooperative European security, during the 22nd Annual Conference of European Armies.

One of the hardest things a Soldier will face in his or her career isn't necessarily the enemy. It might well be telling another Soldier that his or her behavior is ethically or morally wrong, said the Army chief of staff.

The Army wants to put the right people in the right jobs at the right time -- especially with shrinking budgets and manpower and an uncertain global security environment -- but does it do that very well?

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno spoke for more than an hour to Army ROTC Leadership Development Assessment Course Cadets, July 10, 2014, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with a valuable message to help them in their journey as Army officers.

More than 1,000 Soldiers and family members attended the 2014 Army Birthday Ball, June 21, 2014, at National Harbor, Maryland, as the capstone event on a week of celebration coinciding with the Army's 239th birthday, which is June 14.

"I'm incredibly proud to represent the men and women of the United States Army," Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno told legislators at the 239th Army birthday ceremony and cake cutting at the Capitol, June 18, 2014.

The U.S. Army and the people of New York City commemorated the Army's 239th birthday and celebrated this year's theme -- "America's Army: Our Profession," June 13, 2014, in Bryant Park, in New York City, N.Y.

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- Gold Star family members sat before seven black marble stones with white engraved names of the loved ones they've lost in combat. Amongst them also sat former Soldiers each donning their dressed uniforms, remembering the Soldiers they once served with and honoring the ones they never knew, all except one who was dressed in an Army combat uniform. This Soldier was about two feet tall weighing about 30 pounds. He was a first lieutenant with the name Frison stitched on his chest. He carried a rose of which he laid on the memorial wall with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment's crest, right under the name of his dad, 1st Lt. Demetrius Frison.

Slowing the growth of military pay and housing allowances, reducing commissary subsidies and adjusting TRICARE costs will save $31 billion over the next five years and enable enhanced readiness, senior leaders told lawmakers.

Since 1985, the first week in May has been set aside to honor and thank the men
and women of our Nation's government workforce. This observance has special
resonance in the United States Army, which has a long tradition of professional, honorable, and dedicated public servants entrusted with duties vital to our national security. During Public Service Recognition Week, we pause to recognize the tremendous contributions our Civilians make every day for our Soldiers, their Families and our Nation.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno hosted a special Twilight Tattoo, April 28, 2014, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., to salute four civilians who have helped wounded warriors, supported war fighters, and launched an initiative to hire veterans,